In
July 1996 the Getty Conservation Institute, the Winterthur Museum,
and the Winterthur-University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation
offered an intensive six-day course on analytical techniques for
conservators, the first such course ever offered anywhere. It was
held at the Winterthur Museum, with one session at the Philadelphia
Museum of Art.

The course provided a general review of the major instrumental
techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry,
scanning electron microscopy, chromatography, and infrared spectroscopy.
Also included was a review of techniques that conservators can carry
out themselves, such as polarizing light microscopy and qualitative
microanalysis, and an overview of sample collection and preparation
steps required for specific analytical techniques. An important
objective was to help conservators and scientists communicate more
effectively. To achieve this, the introductory session included
discussion of systematic approaches to analytical decisions, strategies
for applying analyses to conservation problems, and interpretation
of analytical data.

Sixteen conservators from six nations—Australia, Austria, France,
New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States—attended
the course. Aspects of the course that participants found particularly
useful included the direct access to analytical instruments as well
as to instructors with expertise in specific techniques and their
use in conservation. For example, a number of analyses were run
during the scanning electron microscopy session, allowing for valuable
discussion among participants and instructors.

Following the course, attendee Linda Stiber, a senior paper conservator
with the U.S. Library of Congress, wrote that "the course material
has already been beneficial and useful," and that it "would be worthwhile
to other conservators involved in analytical work."

Recognizing the demand for the information included in the course,
the GCI is planning to use course materials as the basis of a future
publication—the first reference source for conservators to cover
all the main analytical techniques applicable to conservation.